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‘Messiah’ returns to community after 10-year absence

It’s been about 10 years since a community chorus presented Handel’s “Messiah” in Chase County, but the beautiful music returned to the area last Sunday. A community chorus of 27 voices, under the direction of Joel Grosbach, performed selected choruses and arias from the orotorio. Above, Grosbach leads the singers in the “Hallelujah!”, the final chorus presented in Imperial’s Zion Lutheran Church that afternoon. Dr. J. Gordon Christensen, at right, accompanied the chorus at the piano. Six soloists added to the performance, including Lacey Beemer Franzen, Stephanie Spady Varilek, Charlotte Wine, Arlan Wine, Rev. David Kahle and Vicar Matthew Makela. The “Messiah” was performed as part of the church’s Abendmusik series. A total of 175 people braved the frigid temperatures Sunday to attend the afternoon performance and reception afterwards. (Republican photos)